Joint table-toppers Madura United and Persikabo 1973 saw their 100% win record being snapped on Sunday’s Liga 1 Indonesia action, with both teams being forced to share the spoils with their respective opponents. Madura United were losing 2-1 away at Suramadu Derby rivals Persebaya Surabaya until a last-gasp goal from Cleberson meant that the match finished in a 2-2 draw, while Persija Jakarta forced Persikabo to a 1-1 stalemate at the Pakansari Stadium.
Madura United were looking to make it four wins out of their first four games of the season as they pay Persebaya’s Gelora Bung Tomo a visit, however the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab have yet to beat Persebaya in any of their league meetings so far since 2018.
But considering Madura United’s red-hot start to the season, Fabio Lefundes’ men were optimistic to throw the history books out of the window and they duly did so in the 7th minute, with Lulinha giving Madura United the early lead with an excellent finish that capped off a superb counterattacking move.
Being a goal down spurned Persebaya into action and after putting their opponents under considerable pressure, the Bajul Ijo landed their equalizer in the 28th minute thanks to a Silvio Junior’s header, the Brazilian having taken advantage of a sublime cross from Ahmad Nufiandani.
Persebaya then flew out of the traps after the break and four minutes after the restart the Bajul Ijo sent their passionate fans into utter pandemonium as Sho Yamamoto managed to smash the ball home past Madura United goalie Rendy Oscario, giving Persebaya the lead.
The hosts kept on pressing and pressing and shortly after Sho’s goal, Persebaya went 3-1 up after a Silvo header went beyond Rendy’s reaches. However, controversy broke out after the referee decided to rule out Silvio’s effort, due to Leo Lelis being judged to have fouled Cleberson in the goal’s buildup. The decision was made despite the replay indicating that Cleberson had pulled Lelis’ shirt instead, rightfully angering the Persebaya camp.
Despite having their two-goal cushion wiped away, Persebaya remained intent in killing the game off, with Alwi Slamat drawing a save from Rendy in the 77th minute.
Madura United then proceeded wiped the smile off Persebaya’s face in the third minute of injury time, with Cleberson lashing home a last-gasp equalizer to deny Persebaya’s win and preserve the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab‘s unbeaten start to the season.
Persikabo had the chance to go top of the league as they host Persija in Sunday’s late kick-off, however the Laskar Padjajaran found themselves a goal down in the 42nd minute thanks to Michael Krmencik’s effort. Former Slavia Prague man Ondrej Kudela then inadvertently scored an own-goal right at the stroke of half-time to draw things level for Persikabo, with the Czech defender deflecting a Roni Sugeng effort past Andritany Ardhiyasa in the Persija goal.
The two local rivals then exchanged blow after blow throughout the second half, with Persikabo threatening Andritany through Bruno Dybal, Tomoki Wada, and Ryan Kurnia, while Abdulla Yusuf’s tame effort was thwarted by Diky Indrayana in the Laskar Padjajaran goal.
In the end, no further goals were scored and both Persikabo and Persija were forced to share the spoils in the 1-1 draw.
Sunday’s other matches saw Dewa United beating Bhayangkara FC 2-0, while Persis Solo suffered their fourth straight defeat of the season after Persita Tangerang mounted a second half comeback to go from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at the Manahan Stadium.
Matchweek 4 concludes on Monday with another match at the Pakansari, this time RANS Nusantara FC hosting PSM Makassar.